One of the most important words to grasp when starting a new language is of course the word ‘yes’. You will find it can be applied to various scenarios, becoming a go-to phrase to give an affirmative response to a question, comment, or statement, or simply to keep the conversation going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One may find it shocking to discover that there is no direct translation for the word ‘yes’. The most widely-accepted translation of the word ‘yes’ in Chinese is \u662f\/\u662f\u7684<\/strong> (sh\u00ec \/ sh\u00ec de). Here, you are literally responding with ‘Yes it is’. However, in conversations with native speakers you’ll find that there are many other ways to express affirmation. These are used just as frequently as \u662f\/\u662f\u7684<\/strong> in everyday life, so it would be incredibly useful to pick up a few to widen your vocabulary! <\/p>\n\n\n\n The key point when incorporating these words into your vocabulary is to consider the context in which you’re using them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To start, let’s look at each way of saying ‘yes’ in detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Take note: in most scenarios, \u597d\/\u884c\/\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong> can be used synonymously, but cannot be used to replace \u662f\/\u5bf9\/\u6ca1\u9519<\/strong> in Chinese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another consideration is the use of pairing words such as \u554a<\/strong> (\u0101) \/\u5440<\/strong> (ya) \/\u5566 <\/strong>(l\u0101) \/\u5427 <\/strong>(ba)\/ \u4e86<\/strong><\/strong> (le) with any of the phrases above. These are commonly added at the end of the phrase to convey tone and attitudes, including informality. \u554a\/ \u5440<\/strong> \/\u5566<\/strong> \/\u5427<\/strong> are interchangeable in most situations and expresses strong emotions and excitement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Example: However, caution must be taken when using \u4e86<\/strong><\/strong> (le) alongside these phrases as a way to convey ‘yes’. It is still applicable for informal occasions but conveys a sense of ‘Ok, that’s enough,” in your tone. Take a look at the following example. Although the words above are used frequently and can be adapted into most conversations, there are times where you could use vocabulary from the questioner to give a speedier answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples: The key to these responses is to take the key verb or adjective (or sometimes even nouns) from the asker’s direct words and adapt this. Simple but effective!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u662f\/\u662f\u7684<\/strong> (sh\u00ec \/ sh\u00ec de) - 'Yes it is'\n\nThis is commonly used as a way to confirm what someone said was correct and true. An auxiliary verb, its literal translation is 'is'\/'am'\/'are'. In general, it is fine to use this as your go-to response. \nExample: \nCan you speak Chinese? \u4f60\u4f1a\u8bf4\u4e2d\u6587\u5417?<\/strong> N\u01d0 hu\u00ec shu\u014d zh\u014dngw\u00e9n ma? \n\nYes, I can speak Chinese. \u662f\u7684\uff0c\u6211\u4f1a\u8bf4\u4e2d\u6587<\/strong>. Sh\u00ec de, w\u01d2 hu\u00ec shu\u014d zh\u014dngw\u00e9n. \n\n\u5bf9\/\u5bf9\u7684<\/strong> (du\u00ec \/ du\u00ec de) - 'Right \/ Correct'\n \n\u5bf9\/\u5bf9\u7684<\/strong> can be used to convey affirmation and can substitute \u662f\/\u662f\u7684<\/strong>. This is literally translated as 'Right', 'Correct', thus shows someone you agree with them. \nExample: \nAre you married? \u4f60\u7ed3\u5a5a\u4e86\u5417? <\/strong>N\u01d0 ji\u00e9h\u016bnle ma?\n\nYes, I am married. \u5bf9\u7684, \u6211\u7ed3\u5a5a\u4e86<\/strong>. Du\u00ec de, w\u01d2 ji\u00e9h\u016bnle.\n\n\u6ca1\u9519<\/strong> (m\u00e9i cu\u00f2) - 'That's right'\n\nThis phrase literally translates word for word to 'not wrong' and is another way to say 'That's right'. As such it can replace \u662f<\/strong> and \u5bf9<\/strong>. You can also use this to show concord with someone's personal opinion. \nExample: \nIs the supermarket open? \u8d85\u5e02\u5f00\u7740\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>Ch\u0101osh\u00ec k\u0101izhe ma?\nThat's right, the supermarket is open. \u6ca1\u9519\uff0c\u8d85\u5e02\u5f00\u4e86\u3002<\/strong>M\u00e9i cu\u00f2, ch\u0101osh\u00ec k\u0101ile.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\u884c<\/strong> (x\u00edng) - 'Okay'\n\nThis is usually used when someone tells you something, or asks you of something. \nExample:\nCan I borrow your pen? \u6211\u80fd\u501f\u60a8\u7684\u7b14\u5417?<\/strong> W\u01d2 n\u00e9ng ji\u00e8 n\u00edn de b\u01d0 ma?\n\nOk, no problem. \u884c, \u6ca1\u95ee\u9898.<\/strong> X\u00edng, m\u00e9i w\u00e8nt\u00ed.\n\n\u597d<\/strong> (h\u01ceo<\/em>) - 'Good'\n\nAnother similar word you can use is \u597d<\/strong><\/strong> (h\u01ceo<\/em>). This literally means 'good' and can mean 'okay' when used as a response.\nExample: \nCan you help me carry this? \u4f60\u80fd\u5e2e\u6211\u63d0\u4e00\u4e0b\u5417?<\/strong> N\u01d0 n\u00e9ng b\u0101ng w\u01d2 t\u00ed y\u012bxi\u00e0 ma?\n\nYes, no problem. \u597d, \u6ca1\u95ee\u9898<\/strong>. H\u01ceo, m\u00e9i w\u00e8nt\u00ed.\n\n\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong> k\u011b y\u01d0 - 'Okay'\n\nThis is again similar to the previous two words. \u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong> literally means 'I can', meaning it's perfect to be used as a response to requests\/invitations (you're literally saying 'Yes, I can do what you requested of me'). \nExample: \nCan you make me a cup of water? \u4f60\u80fd\u7ed9\u6211\u4e00\u676f\u6c34\u5417<\/strong>? N\u01d0 n\u00e9ng g\u011bi w\u01d2 y\u012bb\u0113i shu\u01d0 ma?\n\nOkay, please wait a moment. \u53ef\u4ee5, \u8bf7\u7a0d\u7b49<\/strong>. K\u011b y\u01d0, q\u01d0ng sh\u0101o d\u011bng. <\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Would you like to have coffee together? \u4f60\u60f3\u4e00\u8d77\u559d\u5496\u5561\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 xi\u01ceng y\u012bq\u01d0 h\u0113 k\u0101f\u0113i ma?
Yeah! Let’s go together! \u597d\u5440<\/strong>! \u4e00\u8d77\u53bb\u5427<\/strong>! H\u01ceo ya! Y\u012bq\u01d0 q\u00f9 ba!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:
Can you stop being so careless? \u4f60\u80fd\u4e0d\u518d\u8fd9\u4e48\u7c97\u5fc3\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 n\u00e9ng b\u00f9 z\u00e0i zh\u00e8me c\u016bx\u012bn ma?
Ok (that’s enough), I understand. \u597d\u4e86\uff0c\u6211\u77e5\u9053\u4e86<\/strong>. H\u01ceo l\u0435, w\u01d2 zh\u012b d\u00e0o l\u0435.
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTake words from the other participant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Do you want a drink? \u4f60\u60f3\u559d\u4e00\u676f\u5417?<\/strong> N\u01d0 xi\u01ceng h\u00e8 y\u012bb\u0113i ma?
Yes, I want a drink. \u60f3\u554a, \u6211\u60f3\u559d\u4e00\u676f<\/strong>. Xi\u01ceng a. W\u01d2 xi\u01ceng h\u00e8 y\u012bb\u0113i.
2. Do you like this song? \u4f60\u559c\u6b22\u8fd9\u9996\u6b4c\u5417?<\/strong> N\u01d0 x\u01d0hu\u0101n zh\u00e8 sh\u01d2u g\u0113 ma?
Yes, I like it, it sounds good. \u559c\u6b22, \u8fd9\u542c\u8d77\u6765\u4e0d\u9519<\/strong>. X\u01d0hu\u0101n, zh\u00e8 t\u012bng q\u01d0l\u00e1i bu cu\u00f2.
3. Is that book interesting? \u90a3\u672c\u4e66\u6709\u8da3\u5417?<\/strong> \u90a3\u672c\u4e66\u6709\u8da3\u5417?
Yes, it’s interesting. It’s not a bad choice. \u6709\u8da3, \u4e0d\u9519\u7684\u9009\u62e9.<\/strong> Y\u01d2uq\u00f9, b\u00f9cu\u00f2 de xu\u01cenz\u00e9. <\/p>\n\n\n\nOther useful words and phrases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u55ef<\/strong> (\u0143)<\/span> - 'Yeah' \/ 'Mhm' \/'Uh-huh'\n\nThis is a rather informal way of conveying 'yes'. In fact, this is more of an utterance to mean 'mhm' or 'uh-huh' and, like in English, is used to show that you're following the conversation.\nExample: \nDo you remember when we went to the cinema? \u4f60\u8fd8\u8bb0\u5f97\u6211\u4eec\u53bb\u7535\u5f71\u9662\u7684\u65f6\u5019\u5417\uff1f <\/strong>N\u01d0 h\u00e1i j\u00ecd\u00e9 w\u01d2men q\u00f9 di\u00e0ny\u01d0ngyu\u00e0n de sh\u00edh\u00f2u ma?\n\nMhm, I remember. \u55ef\uff0c\u6211\u8bb0\u5f97<\/strong>. \u0143, w\u01d2 j\u00ecd\u00e9. \n\n\u5f53\u7136<\/strong> (d\u0101ng r\u00e1n) - 'Of course' \n\nThis can be used to respond to others when you want to express 'sure' or 'of course' to show absolute agreement\/assent. \nExample: \nCan you help me carry this? \u4f60\u80fd\u5e2e\u6211\u63d0\u4e00\u4e0b\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 n\u00e9ng b\u0101ng w\u01d2 t\u00ed y\u012bxi\u00e0 ma?\n\nOf course! Let me help you. \u5f53\u7136\u4e86! \u8ba9\u6211\u6765\u5e2e\u52a9\u4f60.<\/strong> D\u0101ngr\u00e1n! R\u00e0ng w\u01d2 l\u00e1i b\u0101ngzh\u00f9 n\u01d0.\n\n\u6ca1\u95ee\u9898<\/strong> (m\u00e9i w\u00e8n t\u00ed) - 'No problem'\n\nSimilarly, this can also mean 'sure' and is literally translated to mean 'no problem'. \nExample:\nCan you help me please? \u4f60\u80fd\u5e2e\u6211\u5417\uff1f<\/strong>N\u01d0 n\u00e9ng b\u0101ng w\u01d2 ma?\n\nNo problem! \u6ca1\u95ee\u9898\uff0c\u60a8\u9700\u8981\u4ec0\u4e48\u5e2e\u52a9\uff1f<\/strong>M\u00e9i w\u00e8nt\u00ed, n\u00edn x\u016by\u00e0o sh\u00e9nme b\u0101ngzh\u00f9?<\/pre>\n\n\n\n